Title:  The Proposal

Author:  Angelee

Fandom:  Star Trek Voyager

Pairing:  Chakotay/ Tom Paris

Rating:  Adult

Summary:  Chakotay asks.  Tom says maybe. 

Note:  Beta by my sister Anna.  All final errors are mine-with apologies

 

                                                    The Proposal

 

“Tom?  May I have a word with you?”

 

The blond, blue-eyed lieutenant looked up to meet the dark, unsure eyes of his Commanding officer.  “Sure, Chakotay.   Would you like to join me for dinner?”

 

Chakotay looked down at Tom’s plate of food and winced.  “No thank you.  What is it anyway?”

 

Tom smiled.  “Hell, if I know.  Taste okay though.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

Tom looked at Chakotay quizzically as the tall, dark man seemed decidedly uneasy as he sat in the chair across from him.  “Is there something I can help you with?”

 

“I…hum.  I don’t quite know how to put this,” Chakotay said, smiling slightly.

 

“Really?  Is it that bad?”

 

“Not exactly bad.  It’s just I’m not quite sure how to word it.”

 

Tom was intrigued.  “That’s odd, you’ve never had trouble speaking your mind. Well, just saying whatever it is-always works for me.”

 

Chakotay moved uncomfortably in his chair.  “Hmm, I suppose.”

 

Tom smiled.  “I’ve never seen you so flustered.  What’s going on?”

 

“The Captain and I have been back from New Earth about a week now.”

 

“Yes, I know.”

 

Chakotay looked up, unable to meet Tom’s eyes.  “I discovered a few things about myself during the time we were on the planet.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Yes, I…”  The Commander hesitated, blushing brightly enough to see.  Not easily done with Chakotay’s beautiful, flawless dark brown skin.

 

Tom frowned.  “What is it, Tay?  What’s wrong?”

 

“I was with Katherine…”

 

Tom felt a sudden flash of something he wasn’t real sure he liked.  He pushed it a way thinking it was best just to ignore it.  “Yes.  I know that too.”

 

“We were gone a long time.”

 

Tom sighed heavily.  “Yes.  And…”

 

Chakotay looked up finally meeting Tom’s eyes.  “It didn’t work.”

 

“What didn’t work?”

 

“The Captain and I.”

 

“Oh.  And you’re telling me this why?”  Tom asked, smiling slightly.  Feeling lots better for some not so odd reason.

 

“I discovered something about myself while I was there.”

 

“And what you that be?”  Tom was beginning to wonder if there was any way to get to the point before he grew gray hair.

 

“I’m lonely and I’d like someone to share my life with.”

 

Tom blinked.  “Huh?”

 

Chakotay sighed heavily.  “I’m lonely.”

 

“Oh.”  Tom looked at him puzzled.  “I’m sorry about that, but what’s that got to do with me?”

 

“I have noticed that you haven’t really had a lasting relationship and…”

 

 “And what?”

 

Willyoumarryme?”

 

Tom blinked again.  Thinking he hadn’t heard right.  “What?”

 

“I would like to marry you.”

 

“Because you’re lonely?”  Tom chuckled softly.  “You ARE hard up.”

 

Chakotay smiled at him.  For the first time those beautiful dimples making an appearance.  “And I thought we could be not alone together.”  He looked at Tom shyly.

 

“Huh?”  Tom was starting to feel really stupid.

 

“I found out that while Katherine and I were on New Earth I really didn’t like her that way.”

 

Tom narrowed his eyes.  “And you like ME that way?”

 

“Hmm, yes.  I guess so.”

 

Tom gave Chakotay a wryly smile.  “You guess so? And here I was thinking you hated my guts.”

 

“Never hated.  Didn’t like much, but never hated.”

 

“What’s the matter, Tay-can’t find anyone more suitable to marry you?”  Tom replied, stung by Chakotay’s words.

 

“No.”

 

Oh, Goddess that really stung. “Thank-you for the so called honor, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to say no.”

 

“N…no,” Chakotay stuttered.  “You won’t marry me?”

 

“Yup, no.”

 

“But why?”

 

“Several reasons.  One is the fact that you really don’t seem to want me.  And second your proposal leaves a lot to be desired.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Commander, if I were a female you wanted to marry would you be doing this?”

 

“What are you talking about, Tom?”

 

“It’s simple, Tay.  If I were a female you wanted to marry would you have delivered such a heavy-handed proposal.”

 

“Well, no,” Chakotay said, reluctantly.

 

“Hell, no.  You’d be wining and dining them like crazy to get into their skirts.  You’d be wooing them as if your life depended on it.”

 

 “You want to be wooed?”

 

Tom smiled at the incredulous look on the Commander’s face.  “Hell, yeah.  It’s bad enough you’re acting like I’m your last resort.  What next?  You gonna drag me in front of the Captain at phaser point and demand I marry you?  Or maybe get me pregnant so I don’t have a choice but to marry you?”

 

“N…no, I never meant for it to come out that way.”

 

“Well, that’s exactly the way it came out,” Tom replied, looking out over the empty mess hall.   He’d been working on some Sims in the holodeck and had completely forgotten about dinner.  And he really didn’t have the replicator credits to replicate himself a meal.  Good thing Nelix left food out for any late stragglers.  Now he just wished he’d never run into the Commander.  He sighed inwardly.  “I’m not telling you I won’t marry you and I’m not telling you I will either. But if I decide-yes, what have you got to offer me?”  Might as well have a little fun at the Commander’s expense.  Thinking it was just, ‘cause his ego still stung.  He smiled at Chakotay brightly.

 

Chakotay moved nervously in his chair. “Well, companionship for one?”

 

“I get that from Harry.  Next?”

 

“Hmm, emotional support?”

 

“Ditto.  Next?”

 

“Ah, physical intimacy,” Chakotay smiled at Tom.  “You can’t say you get that from Harry.”

 

“Yes, I can.”

 

 That wiped the smug look right off the Commander’s face. “You can?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“You’re kidding, right?”  Chakotay asked, uncertainty clouding his eyes.

 

“Am I?  Next?”

 

“Love?”

 

“Ditto, again.  Besides you don’t love me.  You just want a convenient fuck.  Next?” Tom watched Chakotay nibble thoughtfully on his lower lip.  He bit back a chuckle.  “Well?”

 

“Ah, I seem to have run out of things.”

 

“I’d say.  As marriage proposals go, that sure is a pitiful excuse for one.”

 

Chakotay smiled slightly.  “Wooing?”

 

“Hmm,” Tom replied, getting up from his chair.  “That’d be a start.  Wanna marry me, woo away,” He said, placing his empty tray in the disposal chute.

 

“Tom?” The pilot looked back.  “Tomorrow night.  Twenty hundred hours?”

 

“Okay.”

 

Chakotay watched the beautiful blond walk out of the mess hall.  Once the doors closed he reached into his pocket and took out a little black box.  Opening it he stared at its contents.  He signed unhappily as he snapped it closed.  At least Tom didn’t say no.  Even with his major fuck up.  What the hell was he thinking?  That Tom would throw himself at his feet and declare his undying love?  Didn’t happen, but at least he didn’t say no. Chakotay reminding himself once again as he got up to leave the mess hall. Heartened just a little.  At least Tom hadn’t said no.

 

***

 

Twenty hundred hours found Chakotay at Tom’s door.  Waiting for it to open nervously.  When it finally did Tom stood in front of him in a blue silk shirt and tight blue denim jeans and pristine white running shoes.  His blond hair shining in the light coming from the room.

 

“You look very nice.”

 

Tom smiled at him.  “Thanks.  You do too.”  And the Commander did.  Completely in black.  From his loose black silk shirt to his tight, very tight, black pants and ankle length boots.  “Those for me?”

 

“Yes,” Chakotay replied, handing over a dozen perfect white roses.

 

“Cool.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Nice.”

 

“Oh,” Chakotay’s replied nervously.

 

Tom smiled at him.  “Let me just put them in water and we can go.  Wanna come in for a minute?”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Would you like a drink?”

 

“Hmm, no thank you.  Well, yes-I think I will.  Green tea, please.”

 

Tom nodded as he went to the replicator and ordered for Chakotay.  Getting a tall glass of ice water for himself.  “Here you go.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Tom motioned for him to make himself comfortable on the small couch.  “So what do you have planned?”

 

“I’ve order us something special at my place.”

 

Tom hid a smile as he took a drink of his water.  “Trying to get me alone are you?  I’m not to sure I like that.”

 

Chakotay’s dark eyes held a moment of panic.  “You don’t want to be alone with me?  We could do something else.  Go to Sandrines instead if you like?”

 

Tom reached out to take a hold of Chakotay’s wildly waving hand.  “It’s okay.  I don’t mind.  I was just teasing you.”

 

“Oh,” Chakotay said softly, before meeting Tom’s twinkling blue eyes.  “I’m sorry.  It’s just that this is really important to me,” he added, tangling his fingers with Tom’s.

 

“Why?”

 

Chakotay looked at Tom is surprise.  “I’ve told you why?  I want you and I want to make a home with you.”

 

Tom looked down at their tangled hands.  “But you don’t even know if we’re compatible.  Or how we’ll be together-sexually.  I may turn you off.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You might not like me sexually.”

 

Chakotay smiled at him.  “I doubt that.  You’re beautiful.”  He sighed softly.  “Very, very beautiful.

 

Tom chuckled.  “Are you trying to get into my pants?”

 

Chakotay lifted their tangled hands to kiss the blonde’s fingers.  “Would you hate me if I said yes?”

 

Tom shivered when he felt warm moist lips against his skin.  “No, Tay.  I could never hate you.  Not even when you were being your nastiest to me.”

 

“Would you like to go to my cabin now?”

 

Tom looked at Chakotay.  “Want in my pants now?”

 

“Hmm, not yet.  I would very much like a kiss, though,” He said, hopefully.

 

“A kiss I can manage,” Tom replied, turning to face the Commander.  “I think I’m too easy,” He said, inches from those tempting lips.  “You’re suppose to be wooing me.”

 

Chakotay eyed Tom’s mouth.  “I am wooing.  Hopefully into your heart and soul and into my life.”

 

Their lips met tentatively at first as if getting use to one another before Chakotay opened his mouth wide with a heavy moan, pulling Tom toward him.  The kiss turned passionate very quickly.  Tongues dueled for supremacy as Tom tried to merge into Chakotay’s body.  Literally climbing into the Commander’s lap to get closer.  The kissing finally ending when he pulled away panting violently, burying his head against Chakotay’s neck.

 

“D…damn.  That was hot.”

 

Chakotay gently stroked soft blond hair.  “Is that good?”

 

“It’s great.  It means we have a chance of being sexually compatible.”

 

“I really don’t think that’s going to be a problem, Tom,” Chakotay told him, pulling the receptive blond more closely against him.  “Want to go to my cabin now?”

 

“Oh, yeah.  You’ve got wooing to do.”

 

Chakotay’s cabin was a lot larger than Tom’s.  One corner of it was set up with an altar with dozens and dozens of unlit candles on it and a few things Tom knew were part of  the Commander’s religion.

 

“Why are there so many candles on your altar, Tay?”  Tom asked curiously.

 

“It’s in case you say yes to my marriage proposal.  We will get married in front of it and then have the computer acknowledge it.”

 

“Oh and this?”  Tom pointed to two tiny black boxes in the center of the altar.

 

“It contains our rings.  They rest on the altar to gain the blessing of the Gods and the Goddess,” Chakotay said, lighting the candle in the center of the dining room table.

 

“Oh,” Tom replied, quietly.

 

“Would you like to eat now?  Everything is ready.”

 

“Yes, please.  I’m starved. Tay?”

 

“Hmm?” 

 

“Hmm, are you trying to get into my pants via my tummy?”  Tom asked, uncovering the crock, smelling the enticing aroma.

 

Chakotay smiled at him, dimples dancing merrily.  “I knew you liked tomato soup.  So I thought tomato soup, salad, vegetable pasta, just-baked bread and fresh fruit for dessert.”

 

“Hmm, sounds good.  I haven’t eaten this good in some time.”

 

Chakotay frowned at him.  “I have noticed you’ve been losing weight.”

 

Tom shrugged offering the Commander his empty bowl.  “Food just isn’t that important to me.”

 

“It should be.  You could get sick by not eating properly,” Chakotay replied, handing Tom his bowl, now containing a large helping of tomato soup. “Don’t roll your eyes at me,” He told the blond, smiling at the look Tom was giving him.

 

“Yes, Mom.”

 

“Hey, watch it, Blondie.  I’m not your Mom,” Chakotay said, handing Tom a roll. 

 

“Oh, yeah right.  Wrong tribe.”

 

Chakotay looked at him silently for a moment.  “We could make our own tribe, Tom.”

 

“Is that what you really want?” 

 

“More than anything in the world,” Chakotay replied, dark eyes wistful.

 

Tom tilted his head slightly as he contemplated the very handsome man sitting across from him.

 

“What is it you really want, Tay?”

 

Chakotay ran his finger along the edge of the table.  “To not be alone any more.  To have someone to come home to every night.  Someone I can love with everything in me.  A family.  Things that everyone wants, every where in the know and unknown universes.”

 

“Y…you want these things with me?”  Tom asked with a slight catch in his voice.

 

“Yes,” Chakotay whispered.  “With you.  I love you, Tom.  I think I always have.”

 

Tom smiled slightly.  “Even when you were being nasty to me?”

 

Chakotay returned the smile. “Even then, I think-especially then.  I was fighting my attraction to you.”  He met the blue eyes watching him.  “I’m not fighting anymore”

 

“How many children do you want in this tribe you want to start?”

 

“Four.  Two boys, two girls.  With beautiful blond hair and blue eyes like yours.”

 

Tom smiled.  “What’s wrong with hair dark as night and beautiful brown eyes like yours?”

 

Tom chuckled softly when he saw the Commander blush.  It wasn’t a common occurrence and it made Chakotay all that much more endearing.

 

“I don’t know.  I think I’d like babies that look like you,” He was told shyly.

 

“But what if I want babies that look like you?”

 

“Does this mean you’re giving my proposal serious consideration?”  Chakotay asked hopefully.

 

“More than.”

 

Tom was treated to a brilliant smile and a set of playful dimples. “I suppose we can compromise.  How about babies that have your blue eyes and my hair?” Chakotay asked, smiling softly.

 

“That works.  I think they’d be beautiful either way if you’re their Daddy.”

 

Chakotay smiled at him, motioning to Tom’s cooling soup.  “Eat before it gets completely cold.”

 

Tom picked up his spoon.  “Does this mean if we marry that you’re going to be the bossy sort?”

 

Chakotay offered another roll.  “You can count on it.” 

 

Tom took it.  “I think it’s something I can live with,” He told him softly.  Earning a shy smile and just a touch of dimples.

 

***

 

In the weeks that followed Chakotay wooed Tom with a gentle consideration and ultimate dedication.

 

Offering flowers and candy with a shyness that touched Tom deeply.  They had not kissed again since their first date. Opting to wait for the right time.

 

It now seemed everyone aboard Voyager knew that Chakotay was wooing Tom in the hopes of winning the skittish blonde’s heart.  Everyone was pulling for the Commander.  Wishing him the best and if Tom was it for him, despite what some of the most die-hard Marquis thought, then so be it. 

 

They watched silently as the war-hardened Marquis pursued the beautiful blond with a shyness that belied his tough exterior. Smiling at him as they walked by as he nervously waited for admittance into Tom’s quarters with flowers or candy or both.  If he ever noticed that at the times he was to pick up the pilot for a date there seemed to be more crewmembers on Tom’s floor, he didn’t say.

 

Chakotay’s shyness in his approach to wooing Tom Paris had all the female members of Voyager ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’ at the utter cuteness of the whole thing.  Not a good thing in a Commander if it was thought on to closely, but it added a whole lot to making Chakotay more human and approachable.  Especially the way he blushed when Tom smiled at him.

 

“So, if we marry we’ll have four kids?”

 

Chakotay offered a plate of vegetarian spaghetti.  “Yes?”

 

“Thank you,” Tom replied accepting it.  “Have you named them, too?” he asked picking up his fork.

 

“Hmm yes.  Bread?   Sheena Marie and Athena Rose for the girls.  Seth Michael and Dakota Rene for the boys.”

 

 “Do I get to make any decisions at all in this relationship?”

 

Chakotay stopped chewing, swallowing what he had in his mouth as if it had hardened.  “Tom?”

 

“The baby naming part is okay with me, those are beautiful names you’ve chosen. But I’m telling you if you think you’re going to be pushing me around you’ve got another thing coming.”

 

The Commander put down his fork.  “I never meant to make you feel as if this relationship would be anything but that of equals.  We will share everything, Tom.  Everything.  I never meant for you to feel otherwise.”

 

 “But I don’t like that you’re starting to act as if I will be subservient if we marry.  I am no one’s submissive.  You’ll be doing you share of bottoming, you can be sure of that.”

 

Chakotay smiled shyly at Tom.  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

 

“Damn straight.”  They ate silently for a moment.  “So if we ever make it back to the

Alpha Quadrant where will we live?”

 

“Where do you want to live?”

 

Tom chuckled softly.  “Nice, you’re learning.”

 

“Thank you.   We can live wherever you like.  I would like to take you to my home on Dorvan 5 so that you can meet my family, before we decide where to live.”

 

Tom bit into his roll.  “That’s cool.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Tom rolled his blue eyes.  “We have got to get you to watch some twentieth century vids.  I mean its fine.  I’d very much like to meet your family.  Maybe then we can come back to Earth and you can meet my family?”

 

“That’s cool, too.”

 

Tom giggled softly.  “You really are learning aren’t you, Tay?”

 

The Commander smiled at him.  “Yes.  I’m nothing if not adaptable.  Tom?” The blond looked up from twirling spaghetti. “Have you given any more thought to my proposal?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And?”  Chakotay asked impatiently. 

 

Tom sighed.  “Well, we seemed to have ironed out pretty much everything.  Except for one.”

 

“Which is?”  Chakotay asked paling slightly.

 

Tom took a drink of his ice tea.  “Sex.”

 

“Sex?”

 

Tom nodded.  “Sex.”

 

“O…oh, what about it?”  the Commander stuttered slightly.

 

“I don’t know if I’m going to like having sex with you.”

 

“Why wouldn’t you?”  Chakotay said arrogantly.

 

Tom ignored it. “Well for one thing we might not like each other that way.”

 

“Are you saying I’m ugly and unappealing?”  Chakotay asked, slightly hurt.

 

“Never said that.  What I said was that I might not like having sex with you.”

 

“What do you suggest we do then?”

 

Tom smiled at him.  “Have sex.” 

 

The blonde had the honor of seeing the Commander’s dark eyes widened in surprise. “H…have sex?”  Chakotay whispered.

 

Tom smiled.  “You’re a man of the universe, so I’m sure you’ve had sex before, right?”

 

“Well…y…yes.”

 

“What’s the problem then?”

 

“Tom, don’t trivialize this, it’s too important,” Chakotay said angrily.

 

“I’m not trivializing anything.  We need to make sure we’re compatible in all ways including sexually.”

 

“So you want to have sex before you decide one way or the other if you’ll marry me?”

 

“That about sums it up,” Tom replied.

 

“Alright,” Chakotay said reluctantly.

 

Tom frowned.  “Well, don’t sound so eager.  Maybe we should just forget the whole thing.  I’m going to my cabin.”  He got up from his chair.

 

The blond made it to the door before a large hand stopped him.  “Don’t go,” Chakotay whispered, pulling Tom into his arms.  “I never meant to hurt you.”  He buried his face against Tom’s neck.

 

Tom realized that Chakotay was trembling.  “Are you cold?”  he asked, wrapping his arms around him.

 

“N…no.”

 

“Then, what is it?”

 

“I was afraid that if you walked out the door I’d never see you again.”

 

Tom chuckled.  “Not see me again?  We’re on a small ship, a long way from home.  Of course you’ll see me again,” He replied, running his hands up and down Chakotay’s broad back.

 

“You know what I mean.”

 

Tom cupped Chakotay’s face in gentle hands, meeting the dark eyes filled with tears.  “You were really worried?”  he asked surprised.

 

The big, strong Commander gave the blond a tentative smile.  “Yes.”

 

“But why?”

 

“I…if you walked out the door you wouldn’t accept my proposal and my future would once again be dark and bleak.  I’d never see you again,” Chakotay replied, allowing the tears to fall.

 

“Oh, Baby,” Tom said, kissing Chakotay’s face gently.  “Like I said before that wasn’t going to happen.  I would’ve just waited for you to call me for another date.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah.  I might have asked for more of those chocolate kissy things to make up for you having hurt my feelings, though.”

 

“I can do that,” Chakotay smiled. “As many as you like.  Thousands, millions if you want.”

 

Tom chuckled softly.  “Ooh, you do love me.  Those are expensive little chocolates.”

 

“I do.”

 

 “Hmm?”  Tom asked happily kissing Chakotay’s face.

 

“Love you.”

 

Tom stopped, earning a small sound of loss from the Commander.  “You do, do you?”

 

“Very much.  Tom?”

 

“Yeah, Baby?”

 

“Marry me?”

 

Tom stroked the side of Chakotay’s face, watching how the Commander’s dark eyes closed in contentment, moving ever so lightly into the touch.  “Alright.”

 

Chakotay’s eyes snapped opened.  “What?”

 

Tom smiled.  “Alright.  I’ll marry you.  Have babies with you and everything.”

 

“Really?”

 

“You betcha’.” Those beautiful dark eyes filled with happiness to have the happiness suddenly vanish.

 

“What is it?”  Tom asked worriedly.

 

“What about the sex part?  Do you still want to have sex first?”

 

Tom pulled the unresisting man toward him.  “It wouldn’t hurt.”

 

“I’m afraid.”

 

“Hum?  Why?”

 

The Commander pulled away slightly.  “What if you don’t like the way I make love?”

 

Tom frowned.  “Have you ever been this unsure with any of your other partners?”

 

“No,” Chakotay replied.  but that was just physical release.  This is more, much, much more.  I have a lot riding on this.  So I have reason to be afraid.”

 

Tom continued to frown, suddenly his pale face lit up with a brilliant smile.  “Know what?”

 

Chakotay was gently sniffing Tom’s hair, enjoying the clean fragrance of Tom’s shampoo. “What?”

 

“We’re not going to have sex.”

 

“No?”  Chakotay asked in surprise.

 

“Nope,” Tom replied pulling the Commander toward the bedroom.  “We’re going to make love.”

 

Chakotay followed willingly enough.  Even allowing the blonde to carefully remove his clothing. 

 

The blonde whistled appreciatively, earning another blush. 

 

“Tom,” Chakotay said shyly, ducking his head.

 

“I never would have taken you for the shy sort.”

 

“Usually, I’m not.”

 

Tom started removing his clothing tossing them haphazardly around the room.  Naked he stood in front of Chakotay.   “Then, it’s just for me?”

 

The Commander carefully gathered Tom into his arms.  “Yes.”

 

“That’s so cool.” 

 

“I’m glad it pleases you,” Chakotay said, swaying them gently.

 

Tay?” Tom replied, moving with him.

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Make love to me, please.”

 

What followed stunned both of them with its passion and intensity.  Chakotay pulled Tom down on the bed and attacked his mouth as if he were starving.  Being met by another mouth just as hungry as his.

 

Tay.  Oh, Goddess, Tay,” Tom panted, arching up into the body covering his.

 

Chakotay moaned softly, tangling his fingers deep into soft blond hair as he thrust against Tom’s groin.  Feeling legs wrap around his pulling him closer.

 

Sweat began to pour off of him to mix with Tom’s. Chakotay was hungry, so hungry for Tom.  Unable to help himself he began to thrust almost violently.

 

Met equally by Tom.  Kisses.  Hungry, desperate kisses were exchanged as they sought each other with ferocity, drawing blood.  Neither noticed as they continued to try and become the other. 

 

“Hungry, Tom.  So hungry for you,” Chakotay whispered hoarsely, thrusting hard enough against the blonde’s pale skin he was sure there would be bruises, but he couldn’t help himself as he continued to do it, over and over and over again.  Seeking Tom’s mouth thrusting his tongue deep.  He wanted Tom, oh God, how he wanted Tom.

 

Chakotay gave a harsh cry as he felt his seed leave his body with a force that hurt. When he came to his senses, it was to find himself gently cradled in caring hands.   “T…Tom?”  He stuttered weakly.

 

“I’m here, Tay.  I’m right here.”

 

Chakotay rested his head weakly against Tom’s chest listening to the calm rhythms of the blonde’s heartbeat.  Hearing as well as feeling a soft chuckle he looked up.  “Tom?”

 

The pilot smiled at him.  “Well, that certainly answers that.”

 

“Hmm?”  Chakotay asked sleepily.

 

“We’re compatible.”

 

“Oh.” Silence filled the room for a moment.  “Tom?”

 

The blonde cuddled close to Chakotay.  Enjoying the bigger man’s warmth.  “Hmm?”

 

“Marry me now?”

 

Tom looked up meeting the dark hopeful eyes looking down at him.  “Okay.  Do we have to get dressed?”

 

Chakotay gave him a brilliant smile.  “I think that the Gods would be so happy that you finally agreed to marry me they won’t mind too much that we’re...”

 

“Naked?”  Tom wiggled his eyebrows at him.

 

He had the great pleasure of hearing Chakotay giggle.  “Yes.”

 

“If we’re going to get married lets do it up right.  Dress uniforms and everything.”

 

“Tom?”

 

“Yeah, Babe?”

 

“Can I ask you a question?”  Chakotay asked tentatively.

 

“Why, surely,” Tom responded readily enough, gently caressing his tattoo.

 

Chakotay looked up unwittingly forcing the hand to fall away.  He gave small moan of loss.  “Were you and Harry really intimate?” Blue eyes twinkled at him merrily, but the blonde didn’t answer.  “Tom?  Come on Tom, tell me.  I promise not to kill him.”  Tom began to chuckle happily.  He kissed Chakotay’s forehead affectionately, but he still didn’t answer.  “Tom?   Tom?”  Not even when Chakotay trailed after him toward the bathroom and the beginning of their future together.